Date posted: 01-12-2026
Estimated Reading Time : 5 Minutes
As we step into 2026, I want to remind you of something many believers forget: God has already given you the authority you need to overcome in this life. Most Christians ask the Lord to “do something” about the problems in their lives or the condition of their nations, but they don’t realize He has placed responsibility in our hands. We aren’t waiting on God nearly as much as He is waiting on us to believe what He has said and act on it.
The scripture I want to begin with is Luke 10:19, where Jesus said, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” That wasn’t a suggestion. It wasn’t a metaphor. It was a statement of fact about who we are and what we possess in Christ. If Jesus said He gave us authority over all the power of the enemy, then whatever the enemy is doing in your life, your family, your church, or even your community isn’t happening because Satan is stronger. It’s happening because God’s people have not taken their authority and resisted him.
The truth is, authority works only when it’s exercised. You can own the deed to land and still never step on it. You can have the keys to a car and still never drive it. And you can have spiritual authority and still live as though you don’t, because you never act on what God has already given. That’s where many Christians find themselves. They love the Lord, but they do not understand the power He placed inside them the moment they were born again.
A new year is a good time to settle this issue. You don’t need more power from God. You need more confidence in what He has already invested in you. The enemy has worked overtime to convince believers they are weak, small, and helpless in a world that is spinning out of control. But that is not the picture the Bible paints. Scripture says the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. That means you are not a victim of circumstance. You are not at the mercy of whatever the government does or doesn’t do. You are not powerless against the cultural confusion that surrounds us.
One of the greatest misconceptions in the body of Christ is the idea that God’s will happens automatically. People think if God wants something done, He’ll just sovereignly do it. But the Bible teaches that God works through His people. James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Resist means “to stand against.” That’s something you have to do. God won’t resist the devil for you. He gave that authority to you.
This isn’t only about spiritual warfare in our personal lives. It includes how we influence our culture. When Christians stay silent, darkness advances by default. When we step forward in faith, darkness retreats. Too many believers think their involvement doesn’t matter. They assume someone else will speak up, vote, lead, or take action. But authority doesn’t work by proxy. If you abdicate what God gave you, the enemy will gladly fill the void.
Some people say, “Well, Andrew, I’m just trying to keep my head down and stay out of politics.” But issues like truth, marriage, children, life, and morality are not political issues—they are biblical ones. When the Church withdraws, it isn’t neutrality. It’s surrender. We can’t pray for God to heal our land and then ignore the places where He expects us to take a stand. Authority must be exercised in the home, in the church, in the community, and yes, even in civil government. That doesn’t mean we become angry or combative. It means we walk in the boldness and clarity God has already provided.
So, how do you renew your authority this year?
First, settle the Word of God in your heart. Stop approaching Scripture as optional advice. The Word is the final authority in all matters of life and culture. If you don’t know what God has said, you won’t act with conviction.
Second, agree with God instead of your feelings or circumstances. Authority flows when we believe the truth more than the lies of the enemy or the headlines of the day.
Third, start acting on the authority you’ve been given. Pray with confidence. Speak the truth in love. Step into the needs around you. Don’t wait for someone else to fix the problems God is calling you to address.
Finally, don’t underestimate what God can do through your faithful obedience. You may think your influence is small, but that’s never how the kingdom works. When believers use their authority, strongholds crumble, families strengthen, churches awaken, and even entire communities shift.
As we enter 2026, I want to challenge you: don’t carry yesterday’s passivity into a new year. Jesus has empowered you to tread on all the power of the enemy. The world needs a Church that knows its identity and refuses to be intimidated. This is your moment to step forward. Believe what God has said. Act on it. And watch what He will do through you.
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